Pneumatic footwear construction



Oct. 25, 1932. J. c. KELLER PNEUMATIC FOOTWEAR CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 2, 1931 J. C KELLER lNVENTOR BY 1 J6;

ATTORNEYS Patented Oct. 25, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JOHN CHARLES KELLER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO KELLER PNEUMATIC FOOTWEAR COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS PNEUMATIC FOOTWEAR CONSTRUCTION Application filed February 2, 1931. serial No. 513,020.

My invention relates to improvements in footwear constructions of the pneumatic type, and it consists in the combinations, constructions, and arrangements herein de 5 scribed and claimed.

An object of my invention is to provide a pneumatic heel construction whereln a greater cushioning effect is produced than in other heels of the type, due to the novel construction.

A further object of my invention is to provide a pneumatic heel in which the cushioning means is readily brought to play, but which is amply provided with sufficient resisting material to prevent undue wear of the heel.

A further object is to provide a pneumatic heel construction which is simple and which, therefore, may be made at a relatively low cost, but which has, nevertheless, a maximum cushioning effect.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the following specification, and the novel features of the invention will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming part of this application, in which Figure l is a sectional view through a portion of a shoe and heel,

Figure 2 is an enlarged front end view of the heel before it is applied to the shoe or boot,

Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of the heel shown in Figure 2,

Figure 4 is a bottom plan view of a heel for a ladys shoe, and

Figure 5 is an end view of the heel shown in Figure 4.

Referring to the drawing, I have shown therein a heel comprising a body portion 1, comprising in reality side walls, these side walls being provided with integral internal lug portions 2 having nail holes3. That portion 4 between the side walls is hollow to provide an air space.

An integral bottom portion 5 is provided which, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, is bowed or curved outwardly. This portion, it will be observed, is relatively thin as compared with the walls 1 in order that when the weightof the wearer is placed on, the body portion, it may easily flex. Covering the recess 4 is a top portion 6 which has a normally outwardly curved or bowed portion, see Figure 2. The top surface of the portion 6 is normally dished to provide a flange portion 7 at the outer edges thereof. The portion 6 is Vulcanized to the walls 1 so as to form one piece having the air space 4 therein.

From the foregoing description of the various parts of the device, the operation thereof may be readily understood. The heel thus formed may be applied to the shoein the ordinary manner by driving nails 8 through the nail holes 3, washers 9 being pro vided in the side walls against which the heads of the nails bear. When the heel is in position, the flange 7 is brought flush with the flat bottom portion of the layer 10 of the shoe or boot, and the bowed portion 6 is also brought flat as shown in Figure 1. The purpose of dishing the member 6 is to place the outer edges under tension so that they will cling tightly to the member 10 to which the heel is attached. 7

When the heel is walked on, the bowed portion 5 is placed under pressure, and being relatively thin, it will tend to give, thus compressing the air in the air space 4 and exerting immediately a cushioning effect. When the full weight of the wearer comes on the heel, it will be flattened out flush with the bottom portion of the side walls 1. The latter, being relatively thick, will bear a portion of the weight and prevent any undue fleXure. When 7 the heel is lifted, the compressed air tends to bring the portion 5 into its expanded condi tion so that it will be again brought into play when the next step is taken.

In Figures 2 and 3 I have illustrated a heel for a mans shoe. In Figures 4 and 5 I have shown a modification for a ladys shoe. In both of these forms, however, the principle is the same. It is essential to the purpose of my invention that there be a bowed portion such as that shown at 5 in Figure l, and at 5X in Figures 4 and 5, which may be flexed to exert the cushioning effect before the main weight comes. on the side walls of the heel,

but in which the side walls form an additional supporting member and also form a body portion for confining the air.

I claim:

1. As an article of manufacture, a pneumatic cushion heel for shoes including a resilient bodyportion having a hermetically sealed cavity formed by outwardly extending integral andcontinuous concavO-convex top and bottom walls and upstanding side. walls.

of said body.

2. As an article of manufacture,apneumatic cushion heel for shoes including a resilient body portion having avherineticallysealed cavity formed by outwardly extending integral and continuous concavo-c-onvex top and bottom walls'and upstanding side walls of said body, all of said walls-being provided on their inner sides with spaced-apart integral upright posts.

3. As an article of manufacture, a pneumaticcushion heel for shoes including'a resilient body portion having a hermetically sealed cavity formed by outwardly extending integral and continuousconcavo-convex top and bottom walls and upstanding side walls oi said: body, all'of said walls being' provided on their inner sides with spaced-apart integralupright posts, said side walls and said posts having common nail openings perfbrating the outer central portion of said cylindrical posts.

Signed at Chicagoin the county of Cook and State of Illinois this 9 dayof J an, A. ID.v

JOHN CHARLES 

